MT. OLIVE A.M.E. CHURCH CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH A GALA EVENT

Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church and First Mt. Pleasant M.B. Church of Trilby held their first Annual Christmas Banquet on December 19, 2004. The Banquet was held at the Ridge Manor Community Center in the beautiful town of Ridge Manor Florida. 

The Community Center was exquisitely decorated. The colors of Red and Gold served as a back drop for the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, poinsettias, twinkling ficus trees, and Nativity scenes. 

Rev. Cassie Coleman, pastor of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church served as the Worship Leader. She welcomed everyone to the Gala. She encouraged the congregation to remember the "Reason for the Season", Jesus the Christ. Rev. Freddie Roberts, pastor of First MT. Pleasant M.B. Church gave the invocation and the blessing of the food. 

The Mt. Olive A.M.E. Youth Choir sang a wonderful rendition of Joy To The World, which was arranged by Pastor Coleman. The special guest was Mrs. Selma Jones, she mesmerized the audience with the biblical story of the birth of Christ. After the story was told, Mrs. Iris Harris blessed us with an inspirational dance to the tune of Joy, Joy, God's Great Joy. A glorious dinner was served. On the menu, smoked turkey, oven-baked glazed ham, cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, string beans, tossed salad, rolls, punch and iced tea. Each morsel was delectable.

After Dinner Pastor Coleman and Pastor Roberts returned to pay tribute to members of both churches who has labored untiringly in the vineyard. They presented them with the "Harvest Awards. The following members were recipients of the Harvest Awards. Mrs. Dorothy Parker, Mrs. Lorene Holloman, Minister Nellie Mavin, Mr. Frank Johnson, Mrs. Lizzie D. Johnson, Dec. Russell Brown, Mrs. Evelyn Green, and Ms. Williezell Spaights. The Pastors also took time to pay special tribute to those who would have received a "Harvest Award" but passed away before the Churches gave birth to the idea.

There were many who help to make the Gala a success. The Mt. Olive and First Mt. Pleasant Church Family would like to thank the Tri-Community and Dade City area for supporting the Gala with your attendance. We would also like to thank Mrs. Jennifer Brown , Mrs. Fania Robingson and Mrs. Jennifer Robinson for decorating the hall. A special thanks goes to Ms. Carrie Brown, Ms. Gene Coward,and Mr. Marvin Gordon for preparing the delicious food. Thanks to Mrs. Betty Davis, Mrs. Amy Holloman, and Mrs. Edele Granger for serving our guest. A special thanks also goes out Mrs. Dorothy Hawkins for the designing the programs for the Gala. Last but not least, Thanks you "SPACE AGE D.J'S , Mr. Jero Green and Mr. Vernon Floyd for the music. Thanks again to The Mt. Olive and Mt. Pleasant family for all of your support in making the Gala a beautiful, wonderful and blessed evening. We look forward to sponsoring the Gala next year and we pray that all of you have a blessed and Jesus filled NEW YEAR!

(Posted 1/11/05) Back to the Trilby Community Association home page